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Chowathon: 10th Anniversary, April 20-21, 2012

Chowathon: 10th Anniversary, April 20-21, 2012
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  • Post #211 - April 20th, 2012, 11:03 am
    Post #211 - April 20th, 2012, 11:03 am Post #211 - April 20th, 2012, 11:03 am
    I've got an appt. in Glenview around 1:45 pm. I'll work my way down afterwards Hopefully the tracking will help otherwise I'll give David a call.
    I used to think the brain was the most important part of the body. Then I realized who was telling me that.
  • Post #212 - April 20th, 2012, 1:58 pm
    Post #212 - April 20th, 2012, 1:58 pm Post #212 - April 20th, 2012, 1:58 pm
    I left the peloton after two stops, and they were 14 strong and looking ready to take down a small yak. Thin fatty pastrami at Manny's was superb, and Italian Superior Bakery quickly delivered trays full of mini-cut muffaletta and beef sandwiches to the horde at their gates without missing a beat. La Chapparita was going to be reached around 15 minutes behind schedule, but expectations were high for the 5 PM meetup at Podhalanka on time.

    Leek received a free slice of plastic-sealed cheesecake at Manny's that I believe might become the inanimate mascot of the 'thon, if it hasn't been consumed already.

    I'll rejoin for Laschet's and continue into the wee hours after singing a concert of Gregorian chant this evening. Over-under on Ronnie spilling something on his shirt: 5 stops.
  • Post #213 - April 20th, 2012, 3:12 pm
    Post #213 - April 20th, 2012, 3:12 pm Post #213 - April 20th, 2012, 3:12 pm
    Sounds like I took Matt's place. La Chaparrita and Ramove were great. I picked up a case of soda at Filberts and now we're waiting for fish & chips at Pleasant House.

    If anyone was planning to meet up with is at The Berghoff,we're not going to be there. We're going directly to Podhalanka instead.
    Steve Z.

    “Only the pure in heart can make a good soup.”
    ― Ludwig van Beethoven
  • Post #214 - April 20th, 2012, 6:03 pm
    Post #214 - April 20th, 2012, 6:03 pm Post #214 - April 20th, 2012, 6:03 pm
    laikom wrote:If anyone wants to track us using Google
    Latitude, send a request to mzatkoff .at. gmail.



    So simple and brilliant. Thanks Matt.

    Now I'm trying to have husband and I use it so we stop annoying each other with where are you's.
    Last edited by pairs4life on April 21st, 2012, 12:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
    Ava-"If you get down and out, just get in the kitchen and bake a cake."- Jean Strickland

    Horto In Urbs- Falling in love with Urban Vegetable Gardening
  • Post #215 - April 20th, 2012, 10:53 pm
    Post #215 - April 20th, 2012, 10:53 pm Post #215 - April 20th, 2012, 10:53 pm
    Cathy2's runza sustaining us at Laschet's; one boot killed.

    Talked to Nick D and Jeff Ruby on WGN; full speed ahead to Diner Grill.
  • Post #216 - April 21st, 2012, 12:42 am
    Post #216 - April 21st, 2012, 12:42 am Post #216 - April 21st, 2012, 12:42 am
    We got lost :(
    Looking at the map now we must have drove past Bai Cafe at least 5 times.
    We stopped in every gas station we saw and no one could tell us where it was. I found El Tapitio on Google Street View but for the life of me I still don't see Bai Cafe.

    Oh well - have fun!
  • Post #217 - April 21st, 2012, 12:14 pm
    Post #217 - April 21st, 2012, 12:14 pm Post #217 - April 21st, 2012, 12:14 pm
    Hi,

    I put at the little White Flag at Jim's Original at 5 am. I was sound asleep by 5:35 am.

    I had a great time on my six hour leg on the Chowathon.

    Regards,
    Cathy2

    "You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
    Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways,
  • Post #218 - April 21st, 2012, 12:23 pm
    Post #218 - April 21st, 2012, 12:23 pm Post #218 - April 21st, 2012, 12:23 pm
    Glad I made it to Gene & Georgetti to close it down.
    Ava-"If you get down and out, just get in the kitchen and bake a cake."- Jean Strickland

    Horto In Urbs- Falling in love with Urban Vegetable Gardening
  • Post #219 - April 21st, 2012, 12:29 pm
    Post #219 - April 21st, 2012, 12:29 pm Post #219 - April 21st, 2012, 12:29 pm
    I had an incredibly fun time chowing for 19 consecutive hours. My only regret is that I didn't achieve the 24 hour merit badge. Huge thanks to David Hammond for inspiring this Olympian feet, to Vital Information for logistics, and to all the documentarians and drivers. May your steaks always be swissed.
    Last edited by lemoneater on April 21st, 2012, 12:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
    "To get long" meant to make do, to make well of whatever we had; it was about having a long view, which was endurance, and a long heart, which was hope.
    - Fae Myenne Ng, Bone
  • Post #220 - April 21st, 2012, 12:29 pm
    Post #220 - April 21st, 2012, 12:29 pm Post #220 - April 21st, 2012, 12:29 pm
    I had a great time from the beginning until I bowed out after Redhot Ranch at about 2:30 am.

    Here was our satellite contingent route:

    Manny's
    Italian Superior Bakery
    La Chaparrita
    Filbert's
    Ramova Grill
    Pleasant House Bakery
    Yusho (it was cocktail time)*
    Chief O'Neill's Pub (had to see Alan)*
    White Castle (natch :wink:)*
    Monti's Restaurant (really wanted to try it)*
    Diner Grill
    Bai Cafe
    Redhot Ranch

    A big thanks, to all who helped organize it and to those who participated. It was a very fun time. I hope to post some pics eventually.

    =R=

    *satellite contingent destinations
    Same planet, different world
  • Post #221 - April 21st, 2012, 12:31 pm
    Post #221 - April 21st, 2012, 12:31 pm Post #221 - April 21st, 2012, 12:31 pm
    Also, I'd love to know the whole story of the Podhalanka Debacle, which I missed.

    =R=
    Same planet, different world
  • Post #222 - April 21st, 2012, 7:10 pm
    Post #222 - April 21st, 2012, 7:10 pm Post #222 - April 21st, 2012, 7:10 pm
    Image
    Stop at Johnnie’s for Italian ice.
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    Leek. Organized, efficient, whip-cracking and bookkeeping, integral to getting event off the ground. Many, many thanks.
    Image

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    Stevez: “Podhalanka is dead to me.”
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    Downward spiral averted by visit to Honey One.
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    Pleasant House: an absolute high point, peak eating experience, everyone was happy, munching, momentum building
    Image
    Rinconcito Cubano went out of their way to make things nice for us.
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    Talking to two Korean gentlemen at Joong Boo Market. Me: “We’re eating for 24 hours, around the clock.” Korean gentleman: "Why do you have to do that?”
    Image
    Professor Fine scrutinizes can of larvae that ReneG brought to event. This was not the worst taste of the night.
    Image
    C2’s pacific demeanor belies the maelstrom of Queen-inspired insanity taking place in background (I have the video).

    Image
    Looking out over Bai Cafe, and a group that was unusually large for 2AM or whatever it was, I thought: this is why I got into online food communites: so I could have intense on-ground experiences with fellow enthusiasts. Fun game: Where's Ed Fisher/gleam?

    Image
    Almost became test for Illinois interpretation of Stand Your Ground. Insane, aggressive, drunk guy eats live crayfish, challenges the usually unflappable laikom.
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    Nadir: Jim’s Original. How do they possibly pack so much tasteless grease into a small space?

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    Brains for breakfast. It’s tradition

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    Nha Hang, a beautiful end to the serious eating portion of the day – all reaching capacity, still eating, because so damn good.
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    Patoriq’s excellent son Wyatt waited in line at Donut Vault; happy_stomach, pleased.
    Image

    Big thanks for patoriq for driving and to Vital Information for engineering schedule. Biggest thanks to all those many restaurants that welcomed us, made us feel at home, and served us exceptional food.

    Trip log
    1. Johnnie’s
    2. Manny’s
    3. Italian Superior Bakery
    4. La Chapparita
    5. Filbert’s
    6. Ramova Grill
    7. Maria’s
    8. Pleasant House
    9. (Turkish apricots at justjoan’s)
    10. Honey One
    11. Rinconcito Cubano
    12. Peruvian Corner Market
    13. Joong Boo Market
    14. El Ilano
    15. Sticky Rice
    16. Laschett’s
    17. Diner (Dinner?) Grill
    18. Bai Café
    19. Red Hot Ranch
    20. Sweet City
    21. Jim’s Original
    22. Valois
    23. Shan
    24. Nha Hang
    25. Green City
    26. Donut Vault
    27. Gene & Georgetti’s
    "Don't you ever underestimate the power of a female." Bootsy Collins
  • Post #223 - April 21st, 2012, 9:10 pm
    Post #223 - April 21st, 2012, 9:10 pm Post #223 - April 21st, 2012, 9:10 pm
    David,

    Those shots make me smile. Well done.
    Ava-"If you get down and out, just get in the kitchen and bake a cake."- Jean Strickland

    Horto In Urbs- Falling in love with Urban Vegetable Gardening
  • Post #224 - April 22nd, 2012, 6:43 am
    Post #224 - April 22nd, 2012, 6:43 am Post #224 - April 22nd, 2012, 6:43 am
    Most pleasant surprise of the Chowathon for me: Rinconcito Cubano. It's the only one on the list that I had not previously visited (and it nearly got skipped). Not only were they particularly welcoming, rearranging the furniture in the entire restaurant to accommodate our group, but I thought my small taste of the Cuban Sandwich was one of the better versions I've had in town. I'll be back soon to investigate further.

    Least pleasant surprise of the Chowathon for me: Phodalanka. Rude, unwelcoming, bogus. I'll never return.

    I want to thank Hammond, VI and Patoriq for doing such a fine job of organizing. It was truly a spectacular event. I only wish I could have stayed longer, but my 6.5-hour stretch was great. Hats off to the ironmen (were there any ironwomen?) who lasted the entire 24 hours.
    Last edited by stevez on April 22nd, 2012, 8:12 am, edited 1 time in total.
    Steve Z.

    “Only the pure in heart can make a good soup.”
    ― Ludwig van Beethoven
  • Post #225 - April 22nd, 2012, 7:52 am
    Post #225 - April 22nd, 2012, 7:52 am Post #225 - April 22nd, 2012, 7:52 am
    Least pleasant surprise of the Chowathon for me: Phodalanka. Rude, unwelcoming, bogus. I'll never return.


    In solidarity to my brother in bigos, "they are dead to me" as well.
    "In pursuit of joys untasted"
    from Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata
  • Post #226 - April 22nd, 2012, 9:06 am
    Post #226 - April 22nd, 2012, 9:06 am Post #226 - April 22nd, 2012, 9:06 am
    David Hammond wrote:Talking to two Korean gentlemen at Joong Boo Market. Me: “We’re eating for 24 hours, around the clock.” Korean gentleman: "Why do you have to do that?”



    This made me laugh out loud. Are you sure you didn't run into my father? That is totally something he would say. Glad you had a great time, I really enjoyed the pics!
  • Post #227 - April 22nd, 2012, 9:12 am
    Post #227 - April 22nd, 2012, 9:12 am Post #227 - April 22nd, 2012, 9:12 am
    ronnie_suburban wrote:Also, I'd love to know the whole story of the Podhalanka Debacle, which I missed.

    =R=


    Without disclosing anything that need not be shared, could someone please explain what happened?
    Gypsy Boy

    "I am not a glutton--I am an explorer of food." (Erma Bombeck)
  • Post #228 - April 22nd, 2012, 11:20 am
    Post #228 - April 22nd, 2012, 11:20 am Post #228 - April 22nd, 2012, 11:20 am
    (Any pictures of the Runzas?)
    Cathy2

    "You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
    Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways,
  • Post #229 - April 22nd, 2012, 11:37 am
    Post #229 - April 22nd, 2012, 11:37 am Post #229 - April 22nd, 2012, 11:37 am
    Gypsy Boy wrote:
    ronnie_suburban wrote:Also, I'd love to know the whole story of the Podhalanka Debacle, which I missed.

    =R=


    Without disclosing anything that need not be shared, could someone please explain what happened?

    I don't know all the details but the group was told that if they didn't order at least $10 of food per person, they weren't welcome there.

    =R=
    Same planet, different world
  • Post #230 - April 22nd, 2012, 11:55 am
    Post #230 - April 22nd, 2012, 11:55 am Post #230 - April 22nd, 2012, 11:55 am
    ronnie_suburban wrote:
    Gypsy Boy wrote:
    ronnie_suburban wrote:Also, I'd love to know the whole story of the Podhalanka Debacle, which I missed.

    =R=


    Without disclosing anything that need not be shared, could someone please explain what happened?

    I don't know all the details but the group was told that if they didn't order at least $10 of food per person, they weren't welcome there.

    =R=



    Keep in mind that this was at 4:00 PM and, except for one table, the restaurant was completely empty. Two people arrived early, perhaps it was lemoneater and someone else, although I don't remember for sure. They sat down at a table and from what I could gather it went something like this (this is completely paraphrased based on the accounts that were told to me. Feel free to correct any inaccuracies):

    Helena: How many people are going to be in the party?
    Chowathon: Probably 10 - 15 we've got a bunch of people from LTH Forum that are eating at different places for 24 hours straight.
    H: I don't have enough food for that many people, you should have called ahead.
    C: That's OK. We're not going to order an entree for each person. We just want to order a few things and share them. Then we'll go on to the next place.
    H: No. You can't do that. There's a $10 minimum per person.

    Note: This is just about when I arrived.

    C: But you said you didn't have enough food for everyone to order something.
    H: Yes, but there is a $10 minimum per person.
    C: Well, can we wait here until the rest of our friends arrive?
    H: No. You'll have to leave.
    H: (Shouting to us as we were walking out the door) NEXT TIME CALL AHEAD!

    So we stood out on the street and waited for the rest of the Chowathoners to arrive and came up with Plan-B, which was to go to Honey 1. Everything ended well and the Chowathon rolled on for another 17 - 18 hours.

    Edited to correct spelling errors.
    Last edited by stevez on April 22nd, 2012, 12:08 pm, edited 2 times in total.
    Steve Z.

    “Only the pure in heart can make a good soup.”
    ― Ludwig van Beethoven
  • Post #231 - April 22nd, 2012, 12:00 pm
    Post #231 - April 22nd, 2012, 12:00 pm Post #231 - April 22nd, 2012, 12:00 pm
    Suggestion: Rescind Podhalanka's GNR.

    Not to dwell on the negative, check out how happy my friend patoriq was to have a big Denny's-class breakfast at Valois:

    Image
    "Don't you ever underestimate the power of a female." Bootsy Collins
  • Post #232 - April 22nd, 2012, 12:02 pm
    Post #232 - April 22nd, 2012, 12:02 pm Post #232 - April 22nd, 2012, 12:02 pm
    Well, stevez's account may have been the TV dramatized version. I don't really recall any high-volume yelling. Basically, she didn't want us to have a large group that would share a few dishes. So we left.
    "To get long" meant to make do, to make well of whatever we had; it was about having a long view, which was endurance, and a long heart, which was hope.
    - Fae Myenne Ng, Bone
  • Post #233 - April 22nd, 2012, 12:06 pm
    Post #233 - April 22nd, 2012, 12:06 pm Post #233 - April 22nd, 2012, 12:06 pm
    lemoneater wrote:Well, stevez's account may have been the TV dramatized version. I don't really recall any high-volume yelling. Basically, she didn't want us to have a large group that would share a few dishes. So we left.


    No there was no high volume yelling, except for when we were on the way out the door. That wasn't angry yelling. It was yelling to be sure we heard her.
    Steve Z.

    “Only the pure in heart can make a good soup.”
    ― Ludwig van Beethoven
  • Post #234 - April 22nd, 2012, 12:17 pm
    Post #234 - April 22nd, 2012, 12:17 pm Post #234 - April 22nd, 2012, 12:17 pm
    Good vibes: LTH calendar at La Chap.

    Image
    "Don't you ever underestimate the power of a female." Bootsy Collins
  • Post #235 - April 22nd, 2012, 3:05 pm
    Post #235 - April 22nd, 2012, 3:05 pm Post #235 - April 22nd, 2012, 3:05 pm
    David Hammond wrote:Suggestion: Rescind Podhalanka's GNR.

    That seems a bit unfair. Consider what might have happened if a large group that hadn't called ahead showed up at Burt's Place.
  • Post #236 - April 22nd, 2012, 3:20 pm
    Post #236 - April 22nd, 2012, 3:20 pm Post #236 - April 22nd, 2012, 3:20 pm
    The beef sandwich at Italian Superior Bakery was good...

    Image

    ...but their version of the Muffaletta was better; unfortunately, I didn't get a pic, but it was capicolla, sorposatta and prosciutto, with tapenade on anise seed bread: spectacular.
    "Don't you ever underestimate the power of a female." Bootsy Collins
  • Post #237 - April 22nd, 2012, 4:26 pm
    Post #237 - April 22nd, 2012, 4:26 pm Post #237 - April 22nd, 2012, 4:26 pm
    lemoneater wrote:Well, stevez's account may have been the TV dramatized version. I don't really recall any high-volume yelling. Basically, she didn't want us to have a large group that would share a few dishes. So we left.


    So bizarre. She didn't have enough food for 10-15 people, but she didn't want you to order a smaller amount than that without a $10/person minimum? Okay. She didn't want the business.

    Mr.Pairs4life thought she did the right thing to make sure she had enough for her regulars(keep in mind, he's not American by birth). :shock:

    I'm still not in agreement with that, unless she knew she had a large reserved party coming in. The odd thing is it sounds like she was more than willing to serve one or 2 folks, but not the group. I don't know what I'm missing but I don't think I will be going there soon to find out.

    Sounds like it was great to go to Honey 1 where the food was good, and of equal importance, you were welcome.
    Ava-"If you get down and out, just get in the kitchen and bake a cake."- Jean Strickland

    Horto In Urbs- Falling in love with Urban Vegetable Gardening
  • Post #238 - April 22nd, 2012, 4:55 pm
    Post #238 - April 22nd, 2012, 4:55 pm Post #238 - April 22nd, 2012, 4:55 pm
    Filbert's remains a kooky and singular place to visit. I had forgotten what a remarkable collection of old beer and soda bottles are on display.

    Image

    My memory was that their old bottling apparatus was bigger. But I was younger when I saw it for the first time ( :wink: )
    "Don't you ever underestimate the power of a female." Bootsy Collins
  • Post #239 - April 22nd, 2012, 4:58 pm
    Post #239 - April 22nd, 2012, 4:58 pm Post #239 - April 22nd, 2012, 4:58 pm
    Anyone know the total number of LTHers and guests who were a part of this?

    =R=
    Same planet, different world
  • Post #240 - April 22nd, 2012, 5:03 pm
    Post #240 - April 22nd, 2012, 5:03 pm Post #240 - April 22nd, 2012, 5:03 pm
    Great to finally meet all of you folks!
    The highlights for me were probably Italian Superior Bakery (delicious muffaletta) and Pleasant House (perfect fish ‘n’ chips/mushroom and kale pie/everything), and of course Nha Hang for their over-the-top hospitality.
    Hopefully I’ll be fully recovered by Chowathon 3 in 2022.

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